The Arkansas State Police have announced the arrest of a Siloam Springs man, charged with negligent homicide following a fatal crash on Highway 59. The incident resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 1:51 p.m. on November 16, 2025, on State Highway 59 south of Siloam Springs. Investigators reported that Fredy Ramirez-Guzman, aged 44, was driving a 2005 GMC Sierra southbound when his vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcyclist, identified as Steven Holmes, aged 59 from Siloam Springs, died at the scene. Ramirez-Guzman was transported to a nearby hospital for injuries and later booked into the Benton County Detention Center.
Ramirez-Guzman faces charges of negligent homicide and violation of the Omnibus Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Act. He is being held without bond as of November 18, 2025, pending court proceedings. According to Arkansas State Police’s traffic data from 2024, there were 621 fatal crashes statewide, with impaired driving cited in roughly 24% of those incidents.
Motorcycle fatalities remain a significant concern in Arkansas. The state recorded 86 motorcycle-related deaths in 2024, up from 78 in 2023—a year-over-year increase of approximately 10%. Nationally, motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities despite representing only 3% of registered vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Arkansas State Police was established in 1935 as the statewide law enforcement agency responsible for highway patrol, criminal investigations, and public safety enforcement across Arkansas. Headquartered in Little Rock, it operates under the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and collaborates closely with local and federal authorities to reduce traffic fatalities and combat impaired driving. Its mission emphasizes integrity, accountability, and service to the citizens of Arkansas.
